Round-headed leek facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Round-headed leek Aglio ametistino
Allium amethystinum 'Red Mohican'
Scientific classification

Allium amethystinum is a type of plant. It is often called the Round-headed Leek. Some people also call it a "drumstick onion." This is because its flowers grow in a tight, round shape at the top. It looks a bit like a drumstick!

This plant grows naturally in many countries. You can find it in Italy, Greece, and Turkey. It also grows in places like Sicily, Crete, and Malta. People also grow it in gardens because it looks pretty.

What the Round-Headed Leek Looks Like

The Round-headed Leek has a single, round part under the ground called a bulb. This is similar to an onion bulb.

Leaves and Flowers

Its leaves are shaped like tubes. They usually dry up before the plant's flowers open. The flowers are a beautiful reddish-purple color. When they bloom, the flower parts (called tepals) stay mostly closed. They wrap around the central parts of the flower. Only the pollen-carrying parts (anthers) and the part that receives pollen (stigma) stick out.

Where the Round-Headed Leek Grows

This plant is native to several countries in Europe and Asia. It grows naturally in:

• Italy
• Greece
• Turkey
• Sicily
• Crete
• Malta
• Albania
• Bulgaria
• The area that used to be Yugoslavia

People also plant it in other parts of the world. They grow it in gardens for its unique look.